Healing Hearts: Empowering Pediatric Critical Care Providers Cardiac Lesion Series: Cor Triatriatum
Oct 15, 2025
Discover the rare cardiac defect, Cor Triatriatum, as Dr. Laura Ortmann shares how it shaped her journey in pediatric cardiac intensive care. Explore its embryology, the challenges in diagnosis, and the risks of postoperative complications. Learn about the management of low cardiac output and the importance of preventing pulmonary hypertensive crises. Dr. Ortmann also highlights the promising recovery prospects for patients post-repair, making for an insightful and inspiring discussion.
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Case That Changed A Career
- Dr. Laura Ortmann recounts a prolonged post-op neonatal case that revealed cor triatriatum after multiple failed treatments.
- That experience drove her to pursue pediatric cardiac intensive care.
Development Explains The Three Atria
- Cor triatriatum results from partial incorporation of the pulmonary venous confluence with a residual fenestrated membrane.
- This creates a separate pulmonary venous chamber that can obstruct flow into the left atrium.
Obstruction Drives The Clinical Picture
- Obstruction across the membrane causes pulmonary venous hypertension, pulmonary edema, and right heart failure with low output.
- Severity of obstruction largely determines symptoms and outcomes.